TACKLING ALABAMA’S UNDERFUNDED PENSIONS, PAGE 4 .
ONE GAME AWAY
TUESDAY
THE
Wildcats prep for road trip, semifinal battle with undefeated Spanish Fort, Page 10.
OPINION: It’s never too late to get involved with local charities.
Lighting the way for Alexander City & Lake Martin since 1892 November 24, 2015
Vol. 123, No. 234
www.alexcityoutlook.com
‘It was probably the best attendance we’ve had even with the fact that Benjamin Russell was in playoffs’
Denim and Diamonds has record year By Corey Arwood Outlook Staff Writer
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Guest look over the silent auction items at the Denim and Diamonds Charity Ball.
The Lake Martin Area United Way will receive proceeds from what could be one of the most well-attended Denim and Diamonds events so far. Saturday’s Denim and Diamonds Charity Ball, was the fourth hosted by The Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce at the world famous Rodeo Club. The DACC called the event “An Evening of Giving,” and a portion of the proceeds were set for the LMAUW and
the various local charities it funds. “It was a success, we had a great turnout,” Linda Andrews, DACC Executive Administrator, said. Sharon Fuller, LMAUW executive director and DACC board member, said that the auction went well, the music, new this year by Lisa and the E-Lusion, and the food were good, and there was larger turnout than previous years. She said that nearly 200 people had signed up beforehand to attend the event which was more than the last ball. “It was probably the best attendance
we’ve had, even with the fact that Benjamin Russell was in playoffs, Fuller said. She said that she did not recognize a lot of the faces she saw at the event, and that was a good thing, as people from both Alex City and Dadeville came together for what Fuller said was a good cause. The amount of proceeds set to go to the LMAUW from the event has not yet been tallied, but is expected within the See FUNDRAISER, Page 3
Wilcox among five finalists to be next Eufaula superintendent Decision expected by Dec. 1 By David Granger Outlook Staff Writer
Jessica Sneed / The Outlook
Hanna Elshoff stands outside her solar-powered bike that she is using to travel across the country to raise awareness for Lions clubs as well as to thank Americans’ for saving her life when she was a child in Germany. The 73-year-old Elshoff has been on the road since May 1 and stopped in Alexander City Sunday night on her two-year journey. Below, she makes her way across the River Bridge on Highway 280.
THANK YOU TOUR
73-year-old German immigrant makes stop in Alex City on her 2-year trek across the country By Jessica and Mitch Sneed The Outlook
Cliff Williams / The Outlook
Today’s
Weather
60 40 High
Lake Levels
482.74 Reported on 11/23/15 @ 5 p.m.
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First Turkey Trot and Beer Fest hits the ground running By Corey Arwood Outlook Staff Writer
Low
Lake Martin
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A German-born immigrant is on a two-year bike ride to say thank you to the American people and raise awareness for the Toastmasters and the Lions clubs of America. Sunday, Alexander City became the latest city to welcome 73-year-
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Area craft-brew connoisseurs with a desire to drink local came out to Strand Park over the weekend for a unique event put together by the front man for local cross fit. The Ultimate Turkey Trot Beer Run and Craft Beer Festival was a first for Alexander City. There were roughly 100 people or so that showed up to run, walk and try beer from Opelika’s Red Clay Brewery or wine from Hodge’s Vineyard of Camp Hill. Steve Denny of Frontline Fitness organized Saturday’s event. It made for Denny’s fifth beer run and festival but his first attempt coordinating the event in the area. “It was a great turnout, everybody had a great time,” Denny said. He said that everything ran smoothly for the one-mile beer tasting run and the evening brew sampling, so well that he said he would consider bringing the event back next year. At the run participants chose their speed to each quarter mile booth set up with a different style beer or wine to be sampled. The festival started later that afternoon and gave those running, walking or just taste-testing a chance to more thoroughly See BEER, Page 3
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old Hanna Elshoff as she makes her incredible journey. Elshoff left Chatfield, Minnesota on May 1 and has ridden more than 1,500 miles in her solar-power-assisted bicycle. “People ask me why I’m doing this and it’s just really a way to say thank you,” Elshoff said Sunday. “I See JOURNEY, Page 9
John Wilcox, director of online and alternative education for Tallapoosa a County Schools, has been named one of C five finalists for the vacant position of f superintendent of Eufaula City Schools. Wilcox was one of 29 applicants for the t Eufaula position. He said he expects the t Barbour County system to make a decision either this week or early next d week. w “I think they will let the finalists know something soon,” said Wilcox. k “I “ expect it to be this week or maybe Monday of next week.” M Wilcox, who entered education in 1988 after working for newspapers for several years, served as assistant superintendent in Tallapoosa County from i 2009 until the recent reorganization of 2 the central office, when he assumed t his h current position. A Clay County native, Wilcox graduated high school n from Goodwater High School and holds f a bachelor’s degree in comprehensive social studies education from Auburn University and a master’s in educaU tional leadership from Troy University t at a Phenix City. Wilcox spent time in the classroom at Reeltown, Opelika Middle School and R See FINALIST, Page 9
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Mitch Sneed / The Outlook
Runners in Saturday’s Turkey Trot Beer Run refuel at a beer table outside Carlos on Wheeler Street. About 100 people participated in the event.
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